THE  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY  OF  THE 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE  HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY  BUILDING 


'^^^t.**-^ 


•^ 


THE  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY  OF  THE 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE  HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY   BUILDING 


NOW  FIRST  MADE  KNOWN  BY 

CHARLES  ROBERT  CORNING 

President  of  the  Society 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  SOCIETY 
ANNO  DOMINI,  1920 


7,'^  Mill 


't 


THE  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY  OF  THE  NEW    ^ 
HAMPSHIRE     HISTORICAL     SOCIETY       ^^\c:rQ 
BUILDING  A/4SCb^ 

Charles  R.  Corning 

I  have  been  Impressed  since  the  dedication  of 
the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  Building 
that  there  still  remained  a  historical  residuum 
worthy  to  be  noticed  and  remembered.  By  this 
I  mean  a  chapter  in  our  annals  that  has  never  been 
written.  While  the  history  of  the  Society,  from 
its  foundation  nearly  a  century  ago  down  to  the 
opening  of  our  beautiful  building,  has  been  written 
and  preserved  for  all  time,  and  the  description  of 
the  building  and  its  charms  and  richness  similarly 
treated,  there  seemed  to  be  wanting  something  to 
complete  the  narrative.  And  that  something  I 
denominate  a  historical  residuum.  In  the  objec- 
tive point  of  view  nothing  perhaps  has  been  left 
unwritten,  but  subjectively  the  fact  is  otherwise. 
We  know  that  we  possess  one  of  the  really  beauti- 
ful structures  of  the  country,  into  whose  construc- 

[I] 


.066637 


tion  the  willing  and  unlimited  generosity  of 
Edward  Tuck  invited  the  exquisite  skill  of  the 
architect  and  the  resources  of  the  builder.  But  we 
do  not  know  the  history  of  the  meeting  of  the 
minds  that  made  this  splendid  work  a  reality  to 
those  who  had  hoped  and  dreamed  in  the  days 
when  the  old  building  was  our  only  possession. 

Psychology,  I  think,  played  an  unsuspected 
part  in  the  result.  At  any  rate  there  was  meet- 
ing of  minds,  there  was  touching  of  souls  re- 
sponsive to  beauty  In  things  material.  Call  it  as 
one  may,  this  Historical  Building  as  we  see  it  did 
not  spring  into  living  beauty  complete  and  perfect 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  or  at  a  nod  of  com- 
mand. Things  unseen  to  the  common  vision  are 
sometimes  the  influence  that  makes  possible  works 
and  deeds  of  surprising  excellence  and  service. 

The  opening  year  of  this  century  marked  a  crisis 
in  the  affairs  of  our  Society  by  introducing  a  situa- 
tion perplexing  and  disturbing.  At  the  annual 
meeting  a  year  or  two  before,  the  librarian, 
Nathan  F.  Carter,  called  the  attention  of  members 
to  the  immediate  necessity  for  more  working  space 

[2] 


and  book  room  than  were  afforded  in  the  old  build- 
ing. At  the  annual  meeting  in  June,  1900,  Mr. 
Carter  again  referred  to  the  matter,  and  was 
followed  by  John  C.  Thorne  who,  understanding 
the  conditions,  emphasized  his  remarks  by  saying 
"A  crisis  has  evidently  come  in  the  Historical 
Society.  How  shall  it  be  met.?"  The  President 
of  the  Society  was  William  C.  Todd  of  Atkinson, 
a  man  of  scholarly  instincts,  an  observer  of  men 
and  circumstances,  clear-headed,  generous  and 
judicious,  a  living  asset  of  progress.  Fortunate, 
indeed,  was  our  Society  in  possessing  a  member 
endowed  with  Mr.  Todd's  characteristics.  Ex- 
perience and  years  had  brought  caution  and  well 
reasoned  opinions  on  matters  in  which  he  felt  a 
deep  interest,  and  the  Historical  Society  was  an 
institution  he  loved.  Accordingly  he  presented 
this  communication  to  that  June  meeting: 

"No  object  in  New  Hampshire  is  more  worthy 
of  support  than  the  New  Hampshire  Historical 
Society.  The  most  distinguished  men  of  the 
State  were  active  in  its  formation,  and  have  been 
interested    in    its    success.     It    was    incorporated 

[3I 


June  14,  1823,  and  the  first  named  of  its  Incorpora- 
tors was  the  eminent  lawyer,  Ichabod  Bartlett. 
Its  history  has  been  an  honorable  one.  Nearly 
every  prominent  man  in  the  State  has  taken  part 
in  its  proceedings;  its  published  volumes  have 
been  much  sought,  and  its  collection  of  rare  his- 
torical matter  is  of  incalculable  value  and  could 
not  be  duplicated.  It  has  received  from  its  friends 
many  gifts,  much  wisdom,  but  little  money,  and 
is  financially  poor. 

"For  years  its  collections  were  moved  from  place 
to  place  as  room  could  be  found  for  them,  and  had 
no  permanent  home  till  some  generous  friends  in 
1866  purchased  the  building  now  occupied.  This 
is  now  full,  and  the  annual  increase  of  books  and 
pamphlets  is  3,000.  *  *  *  j^  j^^g  j^gg^  sug- 
gested that  many  books  of  little  value  could  be 
disposed  of  and  thus  room  provided. 

"If  such  a  plan  were  wise  the  relief  would  only 
be  temporary.  If  the  Society  is  to  be  preserved 
and  to  increase  its  usefulness,  it  seems  as  if  a  large 
fireproof  addition  must  be  placed  on  the  land 
recently  purchased  adjoining  the  Society  building 

[4] 


on  the  south,  known  as  the  Chadwick  property.  A 
crisis  has  evidently  come  in  the  history  of  the 
Society.  How  shall  it  be  met.'*  Wisconsin  is  a 
new  State,  but  in  the  first  year  of  its  existence  a 
Historical  Society  was  established,  which  now  has 
over  100,000  volumes,  over  100,000  pamphlets, 
10,000  bound  volumes  of  newspapers,  and  is  the 
pride  of  the  State,  with  a  world-wide  reputation, 
A  new  building  has  been  provided  for  its  collec- 
tions and  those  of  the  State  Library  at  a  cost  of 
$640,000,  and  the  State  is  in  future  to  give  it 
$15,000  annually,  instead  of  $5,000  as  in  the  past. 
The  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  has  become 
rich  by  private  munificence,  and  other  state  his- 
torical societies  are  well  supported.  The  spirit  of 
historical  and  genealogical  research  throughout  the 
country  is  greater  than  ever  before.  Shall  New 
Hampshire,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected 
States  of  the  Union,  prove  worthy  of  its  past  repu- 
tation in  all  educational  advance,  and  sustain  its 
Historical  Society.^  The  least  sum  for  a  suitable 
fireproof  addition  is  $10,000,  and  many  thousands 
more  should  be  provided.     If  not  less  than  $5,000 

[Si 


can  be  secured  from  others  before  November  i, 
1900,  I  will  add  five  thousand  dollars  ($5,000)." 

Here  was  an  offer  to  cause  thought  and  stimu- 
late activity.  Mr.  Todd  had  cast  a  coin  into  the 
placid  waters,  creating  the  circle  that,  enlarging 
as  it  journeyed,  finally  touched  the  shores  of 
France.  In  the  meanwhile  the  friends  of  the 
Society  responded  to  the  President's  offer  and  sub- 
scribed the  desired  sum,  so  that  at  the  June  meet- 
ing, 1901,  the  Treasurer  reported  a  building  fund 
of  $10,290.89.  A  committee  consisting  of  William 
C.  Todd,  Benjamin  A.  Kimball,  Samuel  C.  East- 
man, Joseph  B.  Walker,  and  Virgil  C.  Oilman  was 
chosen  to  take  into  consideration  the  subject  of 
new  or  enlarged  accommodations  for  the  library 
and  rooms  of  the  Society.  At  a  meeting  held 
January  13,  1903,  this  committee  made  a  careful 
and  well  considered  report  which  may  be  found 
in  Proceedings  of  the  New  Hampshire  Historical 
Society,  vol.  4,  p.  233. 

The  important  conclusions  in  that  report  were 
these:  the  committee  obtained  an  estimate  of  what 
could   be   done   with   $10,000;    they   found    that 

[6] 


this  amount  of  money  would  be  utterly  inadequate 
to  build  an  addition  on  Main  Street  of  a  size  and 
style  that  would  be  in  harmony  with  the  building, 
and  be  at  the  same  time  fireproof.  "If  such 
a  building  is  desired,"  continued  the  report,  "a 
much  larger  fund  must  be  created."  The  com- 
mittee agreed  that  an  addition  to  the  building  was 
not  desirable.  Such  an  addition  would  be  only  a 
makeshift,  and  it  would  be  far  better  in  the  long 
run  to  secure  an  entirely  new  building  adapted  not 
only  to  present  needs,  but  so  planned  as  to  be 
enlarged  to  meet  the  future  growth  of  the  Society. 
"If  the  recommendations  of  the  committee  meet 
with  the  approval  of  the  Society,  time  can  be 
gained  to  secure  the  means  for  a  better  building 
than  could  be  obtained  from  the  present  fund. 
Hopes  are  entertained  by  many  interested  in  the 
welfare  of  the  Society  that  such  a  result  can  be 
secured  from  efforts  that  are  now  being  made." 
At  an  adjourned  meeting  held  in  February,  1903, 
a  special  committee  was  chosen  to  solicit  additional 
funds  for  the  erection  of  a  new  building.  The  com- 
mittee named  were  William  C.  Todd,  William  P. 

[7] 


Fiske,  William  E.  Chandler,  Henry  M.  Baker, 
John  F.  Jones,  and  John  C.  Thorne.  The  building 
fund  was  soon  increased  to  $20,000,  through  the 
efforts  of  Mr.  Fiske  and  Mr.  Thorne  of  this  com- 
mittee, Mr.  Fiske  securing  a  promise  of  $5,000 
from  Nathaniel  Sherman  Bouton  of  Chicago,  and 
Mr.  Thorne  securing  a  like  sum  from  the  trustees 
of  the  John  H.  Pearson  estate. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  June,  1905,  a  committee 
previously  appointed  to  procure  plans  for  a  new 
building  on  the  old  site  offered  its  report  and 
recommendations.  A  suitable  building  could  be 
erected  for  $25,000,  fireproof,  well  equipped  and 
good  for  fifty  years  to  come.  Then  followed  this 
significant  intimation  which  was  to  mean  so  much 
to  the  Society:  "Information  has,  however,  come 
to  the  committee  recently  that  there  is  a  possi- 
bility of  a  large  gift  for  building  and  endowment 
which  is  worthy  of  our  careful  consideration.  The 
committee,  after  duly  considering  this,  has  deemed 
it  wise  to  recommend  that  further  action  in  regard 
to  the  erection  of  a  new  building  be  postponed 
until  the  next  annual  meeting." 


What  had  happened  in  the  meanwhile  to  cause 
the  committee  to  report  that  discussion  of  a  new 
building  should  be  postponed?  Ever  since  Presi- 
dent Todd,  addressing  the  annual  meeting  in  1900, 
had  called  attention  to  the  crisis  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Society,  the  subject  had  wakened  a  lively 
interest  in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  members  who 
were  deeply  desirous  to  help  the  venerable  Society 
in  its  hour  of  distress.  Naturally  the  idea  of  a 
new  building  on  the  old  site  was  in  the  minds  of 
many  members,  both  because  of  long  time  asso- 
ciation and  the  limited  sum  available  for  building 
purposes.  Something  in  the  meantime  had  oc- 
curred to  stay  the  efforts  of  those  who  so  stren- 
uously favored  building  on  the  old  foundations. 
What  was  it.^  The  meeting  received  new  light 
when  a  resolution  was  adopted  declaring  that  "it 
is  for  the  best  interests  of  the  Society  to  erect  a 
building  that  shall  be  an  ornament  and  credit  to 
the  State,  that  the  present  fund  is  inadequate, 
and  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
increase  the  funds  and  procure  designs  for  a  build- 
ing of  a  classical  character,  so  that  the  donors  may 

[9] 


see  the  type  of  construction  contemplated."  Two 
members  of  this  committee  of  three  were  Ben- 
jamin A.  Kimball  and  Samuel  C.  Eastman,  both 
of  whom  were  heartily  in  favor  of  a  more  con- 
venient and  imposing  location.  It  became  evi- 
dent that  a  project  larger  in  scope  and  richer  in 
detail  than  any  heretofore  discussed  was  assuming 
form  and  gathering  strength,  but  no  public  dis- 
closure had  been  made.  Uncertainty  concerning 
the  future  gradually  disappeared,  and  there  came 
the  feeling  of  hope.  The  members  favorable  to 
the  old  site  with  a  building  fund  of  ^30,000,  real- 
izing the  meaning  of  what  had  occurred,  abandoned 
their  position  and  gave  constant  support  to  the 
new  plan  and  the  new  location. 

The  unrecorded  history  of  what  took  place  from 
1901  to  191 1  began  when  Mr.  Kimball  exhibited 
to  the  annual  meeting  sketches  and  plans  of  the 
new  building,  and  John  C.  Thorne  offered  this 
resolution:  "That  Benjamin  A.  Kimball,  Samuel 
C.  Eastman,  Henry  W.  Stevens,  Frank  N.  Parsons, 
and  Frank  W.  Hackett  be  appointed  a  building 
committee,  with  full  power  to  raise  such  sums  of 

[10] 


money  as  may  be  necessary,  in  addition  to  the  funds 
of  the  Society  now  especially  pledged  and  available 
therefor,  to  purchase  the  land  on  the  corner  of 
North  State  and  Park  Streets  in  Concord,  and  to 
erect  thereon  a  new  library  building  on  the  plan 
submitted  to  the  Society  at  this  meeting,  subject 
to  such  modifications  as  may  be  found  expedient 
or  necessary."  The  unrecorded  or  unwritten  his- 
tory during  that  period  I  will  try  to  relate. 

The  publication  of  our  proceedings  has  preserved 
the  story  of  the  construction  and  dedication  of  the 
New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  building  which 
all  may  read  and  understand,  but  the  undisclosed 
history  of  the  undertaking,  its  inception  and 
development,  makes  a  story  worthy  to  be  heard. 
I  have  felt  that  the  whole  story  ought  to  be  told, 
and  that  the  telling  of  the  personal  equation  and 
its  influence  in  this  beautiful  culmination  was  an 
indispensable  part  in  the  history  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Historical  Society.  How  often  have  I  been 
asked  why  Edward  Tuck  should  build  so  splendid 
a  memorial  in  a  community  no  closer  to  him  than 
Concord!     What  influences  directed  him  to  this 

In] 


work?  Influence,  as  we  commonly  interpret  it, 
had  little  or  nothing  to  do  with  Mr.  Tuck's  great 
donations.  Influence  in  this  instance  was  a  gen- 
erous and  receptive  mind  communing  with  life- 
long principles  of  benevolence.  In  truth  this  man 
of  profound  good-will,  of  keen  comprehension,  of 
imagination,  of  sane  views  and  application,  and  of 
trustful  disposition  was  the  ally  of  Mr.  Kimball  and 
Mr.  Todd  in  their  wonderful  labors.  Fortunately 
the  correspondence,  strengthened  by  recollections 
of  the  leading  actors  in  the  conception  and  develop- 
ment of  the  undertaking,  has  been  put  into  my 
hands  to  be  treated  as  I  should  determine.  My 
beginning  was  this  communication: 

Concord,  New  Hampshire,  July  4,  1917. 

My  dear  Mr.  Kimball: 

If  I  am  not  asking  too  much,  and  I  am  not  in- 
sensible to  your  many  urgent  occupations,  I  wish 
you  would  detail  to  me  through  your  stenographer 
the  beginning  of  Mr.  Tuck's  interest  in  our  His- 
torical Society  building. 

During  my  visit  at  Vert  Mont  Mr.  Tuck  more 
than  once  remarked  to  me  that  "you  would  never 
have  had  your  Historical  building  if  it  had  not 

f  12I 


been  for  Mr.  Kimball."  With  my  respect  for 
historical  accuracy  and  truth  I  believe  that  this 
incident  in  your  career  ought  to  be  made  known 
and  preserved.  No  man  has  created  so  imposing 
a  memorial  of  work  so  splendid  and  enduring  as 
you  have  created  in  Concord.  "Circumspice" 
applies  to  you  as  it  applied  to  Wren  and  St.  Paul's. 
I  hope  I  am  not  asking  too  much  of  you  inasmuch 
as  my  request  will  serve  history. 
Very  truly, 

Charles  R.  Corning. 

Mr.  Kimball  mailed  this  note  to  Mr.  Tuck  who 

replied : 

82  Champs  Elysees, 
Paris,  August  nth,  1917. 

Dear  Mr.  Kimball: 

Since  I  wrote  you  July  28th  I  have  received 
your  letter  written  at  The  Broads  with  your  eagle 
quill  on  July  8th,  dealing  with  Coming's  enquiry 
for  the  early  history  of  the  project  of  a  new  building 
for  the  Historical  Society. 

I  am  sending  you  under  separate  registered  cover  , 
Mr.  Todd's  first  letter  to  me  dated  June  25,  1901,  ) 
thus  antedating  apparently  his  first  letter  to  you 
on  the  subject  which  was  in  October  of  the  same 
year.     I  am  returning  it  to  you  herewith,  as  also 
Coming's  letter. 

I  am  very  glad  Coming  is  taking  up  this  matter, 
for  the  facts  are  worthy  of  record.     To  Mr.  Todd 

[13] 


is  due  the  credit  of  the  inception  of  the  project 
and  awakening  my  early  interest  in  it.  To  you 
is  due  the  greater  credit  of  having  multiplied  his 
efforts  a  hundredfold,  and  of  having  stimulated 
my  interest  in  the  matter,  with  the  result  that 
between  us  we  have  now,  in  the  words  of  a  repre- 
sentative of  Mr.  Lowell  who,  you  say,  had  just 
been  over  the  building  for  the  first  time,  a  monu- 
ment "the  like  of  which  does  not  exist  in  the 
United  States." 

Corning  quotes  me  correctly  as  having  said  that 
we  never  would  have  had  such  a  building  except 
for  Mr.  Kimball.  It  was  only  my  faith  in  your 
wonderful  taste  and  knowledge  in  artistic  and 
architectural  matters,  and  in  your  fidelity  and  zeal, 
heart  and  soul,  in  the  work,  that  made  me  willing 
to  place  such  a  great  sum  of  money  in  such  an 
object.  I  can  truly  say  that  I  consider  it  perhaps 
the  happiest  inspiration  of  my  life  to  have  gone 
into  this  enterprise,  and  to  have  brought  it  with 
you  to  so  magnificent  a  conclusion,  of  which  we 
and  our  successors  will  never  cease  to  be  proud. 

With  Mr.  Todd's  letter  I  am  sending  various 
pieces  which  I  have  numbered  in  sequence.  They 
appear  to  be  all  that  I  have  of  special  interest  until 
the  years  1906  and  1907.  They  will  all  explain 
themselves  without  further  remark  from  me. 
You  have,  I  am  sure,  a  better  recollection  of  our 
various  conversations  than  I  have.  I  wish  now 
that  I  had  kept  a  record,  although  perhaps  it  is  of 

I14] 


no  great  consequence.  I  do  remember  that  I  did 
not  wish  to  have  Carnegie's  finger  in  our  pie.  We 
have  done  fairly  well  without  him;  in  fact  you  and 
I  would  not  be  willing  to  trade  our  building  for  any 
forty  or  more  that  he  has  ever  erected. 
Yours  affectionately, 

Edward  Tuck. 

William  C.  Todd,  born  in  1823,  was  not  far  from 
eighty  years  of  age  when  the  condition  of  the 
Society,  so  urgent  and  pressing,  touched  his  loyal 
nature  to  the  quick  and  compelled  him  to  act.  I 
have  mentioned  the  offer  made  by  him  in  1900, 
and  the  words  he  delivered  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  following  year.  No  one  saw  the  critical 
situation  clearer  than  he,  or  attempted  remedial 
measures  more  resolutely.  A  graduate  of  Dart- 
mouth, he  chose  the  teacher's  profession,  becoming 
head  of  the  academy  at  Atkinson,  his  native  town, 
and  later  principal  of  the  Girls'  High  School  in 
Newburyport.  From  slender  beginnings,  by  pru- 
dence and  saving,  Mr.  Todd  was  laying  up  a 
modest  competence,  when  Fortune  introduced 
him  to  the  Bell  telephone,  at  that  time  a  neglected 
foundling  in  the  world  of  finance.     The  result  was 

[15I 


that  Mr.  Todd  became  a  wealthy  man.  No  pen 
picture  can  present  William  C.  Todd  as  he  walked 
our  streets  and  conversed  with  his  friends,  but  the 
record  has  been  written  of  his  generosity  in  life 
and  his  benefactions  after  death.  No  reflective 
member  of  this  Society  can  ever  efface  the  picture 
of  this  aged  man  lying  on  his  death  bed,  his  mind 
alive  to  the  necessities  of  his  beloved  Society,  and 
his  trembling  hand  composing  an  appeal  to  the 
one  responsive  soul  in  all  the  world  who  listened, 
and  who  finally  wrought  the  miracle. 

Mr.  Todd's  first  communication  with  Mr.  Tuck 
was  this  letter: 

Atkinson,  N.  H.,  June  25,  1901. 

Edward  Tuck,  Esq. 
My  dear  Sir: 
After  much  hesitation  I  have  concluded  to 
address  you  in  regard  to  the  New  Hampshire 
Historical  Society  in  which  I  have  become  much 
interested.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  similar  soci- 
eties in  the  country,  and  has  had  the  support  of 
the  ablest  and  most  distinguished  men  of  the  State. 
Its  origin  dates  back  to  1823.  March  3,  1823,  a 
literary  society  of  Portsmouth  addressed  an  invi- 
tation to  eighteen  literary  gentlemen  of  Rocking- 

f  16I 


ham  and  Strafford  counties  on  the  subject,  who 
met  at  Exeter  March  13,  when  that  able  lawyer 
Ichabod  Bartlett  presided.  It  was  decided  to 
form  a  society,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
invite  gentlemen  to  meet  in  Portsmouth  for  that 
purpose.  This  was  done,  and  the  society  was 
organized  May  20,  1823,  and  incorporated  June  13, 
1823. 

The  first  president  was  William  Plumer,  Jr.,  of 
Epping,  at  one  time  Governor,  followed  by  Levi 
Woodbury,  Ichabod  Bartlett  and  other  distin- 
guished men  of  the  State,  who  from  the  first  have 
been  among  its  officers,  have  given  addresses  before 
it,  and  contributed  to  its  publications.  To  the 
efforts  of  men  like  John  Farmer,  Jacob  B.  Moore, 
Rev.  Dr.  Bouton,  in  connection  with  this  society, 
we  owe,  I  think,  the  large  amount  of  valuable 
information  acquired  on  the  early  history  of  New 
Hampshire. 

Among  the  past  members  of  the  Society  more  or 
less  active  in  its  history  can  be  named  such  men  as 
Ichabod  Bartlett,  Charles  H.  Atherton,  Samuel  D. 
Bell,  Jeremiah  Smith,  Isaac  Hill,  Ira  Perley,  Frank- 
lin Pierce,  Amos  Tuck,  Rev.  Dr.  Peabody,  Rev. 
Nathan  Lord,  Jeremiah  Mason,  John  S.  Wells, 
J.  J.  Bell  and  Charles  H.  Bell,  both  its  Presidents 
for  years,  Joel  Parker,  and  many  others  who  have 
been  leading  actors  in  the  affairs  of  the  State,  and 
few  States  can  point  to  an  equal  number  of  men  of 
whom  it  would  have  more  reason  to  be  proud. 

[17] 


Some  of  the  collections  of  the  Society  are  very 
valuable,  and  more  would  have  been  published  if 
the  funds  had  permitted,  but  the  Society  is  poor. 
Its  permanent  fund,  after  78  years,  is  only  $11,400, 
whose  income  is  almost  fully  restricted.  There 
are  about  170  members  paying  an  annual  assess- 
ment of  $3.  Only  two  gifts,  I  think,  as  large  as 
$1,000  in  money  have  been  received  in  its  whole 
history,  though  wisdom  has  been  freely  offered. 
It  receives  from  the  State  $500  a  year,  which  small 
sum  is  used  to  pay  the  Librarian,  a  retired  clergyman 
and  a  Dartmouth  graduate. 

The  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  has  just 
erected  a  new  building  at  a  cost  of  $195,044,  and 
has  invested  funds  of  $182,339.  One  of  the  first 
acts  of  Wisconsin  when  it  became  a  State  was  to 
establish  a  Historical  Society,  which  has  been  its 
great  pride,  receives  from  the  State  an  annual  gift 
of  $5,000  for  its  support,  has  a  national,  if  not  a 
European  reputation,  and  the  State  has  just 
erected  for  its  use  and  that  of  the  State  Library  a 
building  at  a  cost  of  about  $650,000. 

The  building  used  at  Concord  is  an  old  bank 
building,  is  literally  filled  with  treasures,  among 
them  sixteen  volumes  of  unpublished  letters  of 
Daniel  Webster,  the  gift  of  Peter  Harvey.  The 
Sabine  collection  of  7,000  volumes  will  come  to  the 
Society  on  the  decease  of  an  old  lady  of  83,  and 
there  is  no  room  for  them. 

It  has  been  impressed  on  me  that  no  object  in 
New  Hampshire  is  more  worthy  of  aid  than  this 

[18I 


Society,  and  its  first  great  want  is  a  new  fireproof 
building.  My  means  are  limited  but  I  have  no 
family,  and  I  last  year  off"ered  ^5,000  for  this  pur- 
pose if  a  like  amount  could  be  secured  from  others. 
This  was  done  in  small  amounts,  over  100  aiding, 
much  of  it  from  friends  away  from  the  State,  and 
the  Society  now  has  a  building  fund  of  ^10,000, 
but  it  needs  ^25,000  or  ^30,000  to  build  what  seems 
to  be  a  necessity  if  the  Society  is  to  continue  its 
existence. 

As  one  of  the  first  settled  States,  New  Hamp- 
shire ofi"ers  a  wide  field  for  historical  research,  for 
which  this  Society  seems  to  be  the  proper  medium. 
May  its  good  work  in  the  past  be  continued. 

I  am  a  stranger  to  you,  and  have  seen  you  only 
once.  I  was  in  i860  a  member  of  the  examining 
committee  at  Dartmouth,  and  noticed  you  because 
I  knew  your  father.  I  was  born  In  the  same  con- 
gressional district,  belonged  to  the  same  political 
party,  became  acquainted  with  him,  and  on  my 
way  to  Washington,  meeting  him  In  Boston,  he 
volunteered  to  give  me  a  letter  to  Mr.  Lincoln. 
Like  all  Dartmouth  men  I  rejoice  in  your  noble 
gift  to  our  alma  mater.  I  gave  it  a  ^1,000  scholar- 
ship years  ago  from  money  earned  in  teaching. 

I  ask  pardon  for  this  letter,  and  for  addressing 
you  at  all,  knowing  how  many  appeals  of  this  kind 
you  must  receive. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

Wm.  C.  Todd,  Dart.  1844. 


19 


The  second  act  in  this  interesting  narrative  was 
Mr.  Tuck's  kind  acknowledgment  to  Mr.  Todd: 

Paris,  September  i8th,  1901. 

W.  C.  Todd,  Esq.,  Atkinson,  N.  H. 
My  dear  Sir: — 

Your  very  interesting  letter  of  June  25th  regard- 
ing the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  reached 
me  some  time  ago,  and  has  merited  a  more  prompt 
reply. 

You  need  make  no  apology  for  calling  my  atten- 
tion to  the  present  condition  of  the  Society.  On 
the  contrary,  I  thank  you  for  informing  me  so 
fully  regarding  the  great  interest  taken  in  the  for- 
mation and  the  development  of  the  Society  by  dis- 
tinguished sons  of  New  Hampshire  in  the  past,  and 
of  its  straightened  condition  which  ought  not  to  be. 
I  was  among  those  who  contributed  last  year  to 
the  building  fund  of  which  you  speak,  although 
my  interest  in  the  Society  was  not  at  all  awakened 
as  it  has  been  by  your  letter.  You,  individually, 
have  certainly  been  more  than  generous  in  your 
own  contribution  for  the  needed  fund.  I  shall 
bear  in  mind  all  you  have  written  me,  and  it  may 
be  that  somewhat  later  I  shall  be  in  a  position  to 
aid  materially  in  the  good  work  which  you  so 
disinterestedly  have  taken  up.  It  would  certainly 
give  me  great  pleasure  if  I  felt  able  and  free  to 
do  so. 

[20I 


In  the  meantime  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you 
further  in  detail  as  to  what  you  think  needs  to  be 
done  to  relieve  the  Society  from  its  present  distress, 
to  assure  its  further  existence,  and  to  provide  com- 
fortably for  its  installation  in  a  suitable  new  build- 
ing, over  and  above  whatever  funds  and  means  of 
support  it  already  has  in  hand. 

Thanking  you  for  your  letter  I   am  yours  very 

^'  Edward  Tuck. 

William  C.  Todd  then  interested  Benjamin  A. 
Kimball  both  by  correspondence  and  interviews, 
securing  his  masterful  aid  and  co-operation  which, 
once  begun,  continued  to  the  end.  Mr.  Kimball 
had  long  been  a  member  of  the  Society,  and  had 
served  as  President  during  the  years  1 895-1 897, 
but,  as  he  says,  he  had  not  in  the  stress  of  stren- 
uous business  and  corporate  activities  given  atten- 
tion to  the  wants  and  necessities  of  the  Society. 
He  and  Mr.  Todd  were  old  friends  strongly  at- 
tached to  each  other  by  college  ties,  as  both  were 
graduates  of  Dartmouth.  In  the  notes  prepared 
in  response  to  my  letter  of  July  4,  191 7,  Mr.  Kim- 
ball says: 

"My  attention  relative  to  the  needs  of  the  His- 

f2ll 


torical  Society  was  first  aroused  by  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Todd  written  October  28,  1901.  It  was  from 
an  old-time  friend,  bristling  with  acuteness  and 
intelligence  and  suggestive  of  the  unique  person- 
ality of  the  writer." 

William  C.  Todd  possessed  a  quaint  and  unusual 
personality  which,  as  Mr.  Kimball  says,  Dickens 
ought  to  have  encountered.  "That  squeaky, 
husky  voice  will  never  be  forgotten."  After  a 
few  letters  and  visits  from  Mr.  Kimball  to  Mr. 
Todd,  who,  it  should  be  remembered,  was  in  bed 
and  gradually  nearing  the  close  of  life,  Mr.  Kimball 
received  these  letters  which  made  so  deep  an  im- 
pression and  led  to  results  so  magnificent.  The 
letter  of  October  28,  1901,  was  historically  impor- 
tant. This  famous  letter  contained  references  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  the  New  Hampshire 
Historical  Society,  to  the  State,  and  to  Concord. 
"First  of  all  there  should  be  a  new  building  for  its 
valuable  treasures."  This  thought  presented  by 
Mr.  Todd  gave  Mr.  Kimball  his  first  positive  con- 
ception concerning  the  condition  and  the  future 
of  the  Society. 

f22l 


Atkinson,  N.  H.,  Aug.  6,  1901. 

Hon.  Benj.  A.  Kimball,  Concord,  N.  H. 
Dear  Mr.  Kimball: — 

There  is  to  be  a  meeting  of  the  special  committee 
on  the  new  building,  or  addition  to  the  present, 
Aug.  13.  I  doubt  if  I  can  be  present  but  I  trust 
you  will  attend.  I  am  more  and  more  persuaded 
that  the  Society  cannot  go  on  and  prosper  unless 
something  is  done.  The  Historical  Societies  all 
over  the  land  are  active,  having  new  buildings,  but 
the  New  Hampshire  Society  has  for  years  been 
stationary.  It  took  over  100  subscriptions  last 
year,  many  of  them  out  of  the  State,  to  raise  the 
paltry  sum  of  ^5,000,  showing  how  little  is  the 
general  interest  felt  in  the  Society.  I  can  do 
nothing  more.  I  am  comparatively  unknown,  with 
no  influence;  you  are  well  known,  and  could  raise 
any  needed  sum  for  almost  any  worthy  object. 
My  means  are  limited,  but  I  have  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  is  better  to  try  and  do  some  good 
with  my  little  than  leave  it,  as  did  Mr.  Pearson,  to 
feed  hungry  lawyers.  I  have  just  paid  ^50,000 
for  a  needed  hospital  in  Newburyport.  I  can 
think  of  no  object  of  more  use  to  the  State,  and 
especially  Concord,  than  a  new  historical  building, 
and  you  or  any  one  else  who  will  secure  it  will 
erect  for  himself  a  more  enduring  monument  than 
any  of  granite. 

The  present  building  is  old,  infirm,  is  not  fire- 
proof, and  to  add  to  it  would  make  a  deformity  of 

[23] 


which  no  one  would  be  proud.  A  new  structure  Is 
needed,  and  the  one  who  will  secure  it  will  make  a 
proud  name  for  himself  with  this  generation  and 
posterity.  The  whole  matter  was  left  open  at  the 
annual  meeting,  as  I  understood  you  wished. 
Hope  something  can  be  done,  but  it  must  be  by 
money  from  those  who  have  it  and  are  willing  to 
give.  I  have  recently  written  to  a  wealthy  gentle- 
man but  have  had  no  reply. 

•     I  trust  you  are  well  after  a  most  trying  summer. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Wm.  C.  Todd. 

Mr.  Tuck  replied  by  letter  September  i8,  1901. 
This  is  the  letter  referred  to  by  Mr.  Kimball  as 
important: 

Atkinson,  N.  H.,  October  28,  1901. 

Hon.  Benj.  A.  Kimball,  Concord,  N.  H. 
Dear  Mr.  Kimball: — 

*  *  *  I  am  pleased,  also,  that  you  are  inter- 
ested in  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society. 
Nothing  in  New  Hampshire,  it  seems  to  me,  more 
deserves  support  than  this  Society,  and  nothing 
will  make  Mr.  Carnegie,  or  whoever  else  may  give 
to  it,  longer  remembered. 

Historical   Societies,   all  over  the  country,   are 

receiving  increased  attention,  and  no  State  has  a 

/  richer  field  for  investigation,  and  in  no  State  has 

[24I 


there  been  of  late  so  little  interest  as  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, one  of  the  oldest  States  in  the  Union.  I 
think  that  there  is  much  to  be  done,  a.nd,  first  of  all , 
there  should  be  a  new  building  worthy  of  the  State 
and  of  Concord,  and  I  trust  at  no  distant  date  it  can 
be  secured.  You  can  do  much  more  than  myself 
because  you  are  so  much  better  known,  and  people 
have  much  confidence  in  your  good  judgment.  Its 
past  publications  are  very  valuable,  and  the  Society 
has  material  for  more  if  it  had  the  money.  In  the 
volume  I  recently  published,  in  the  article  on  Gen. 
Peabody,  I  stated  that  two  thirds  of  the  soldiers 
at  Bunker  Hill  were  from  New  Hampshire,  and 
the  State  should  have  credit  of  it.  The  Nation,  in 
a  review  of  the  book,  states  that  this  is  strictly 
true,  though  it  seems  so  impossible,  and  refers  to 
a  publication  of  the  Society  to  substantiate  it.  I 
have  faith  that,  sooner  or  later,  this  Society  will 
have  its  wants  supplied,  for  it  is  a  privilege  to  aid 
it.  I  have  some  things  in  my  mind,  but  they  may 
have  no  practical  result. 

Please  pardon  this  long,  hasty  letter.  I  presume 
you  have  such  inflictions  occasionally. 

Very  sincerely  yours,  with  many  thanks, 

Wm.  C.  Todd. 

Mr.  Kimball  calls  this  a  famous  letter,  and  it 
certainly  deserves  that  name,  but  there  was  to  be 
one  more  communication  sent  from  the  sick  room 

[25] 


in  Newburyport  to  Edward  Tuck  in  Paris.  Mr. 
Kimball  refers  to  this  in  these  words,  "the  last  and 
very  important  letter  on  the  subject  of  a  new 
building  was  written  by  Mr.  Todd  some  time  in 
1902,  and  it  enlisted  Mr.  Tuck's  interest  in  the 
proposition."  Unfortunately  that  letter  cannot 
be  found,  but  its  moving  inspiration,  soon  to  be 
revealed  in  actions,  brings  to  our  minds  the  pathos 
and  force  of  the  sick  man's  last  appeal.  "Mr. 
Tuck,"  Mr.  Kimball  says,  "sent  the  letter  to  me 
with  suggestions  which  later  resulted  in  realities." 
Well  may  Mr.  Kimball  add,  "this  second  letter  of 
\  Mr.  Todd's  laid  the  foundations  for  one  of  the 
finest  and  most  enduring  structures  of  our  time." 
Mr.  Tuck  acknowledged  this  letter,  warmly  and 
sympathetically  manifesting  his  interest  and  will- 
ingness to  contribute  to  the  funds  necessary  to  build 
on  new  foundations. 

Paris,  December  9th,  1902. 

Hon.  William  C.  Todd,  Newburyport,  Mass. 
Dear  Mr.  Todd:— 
I   am   in   receipt   of  your   interesting   letter  of 
November  28th,  which  bears  testimony  to  your 

[26I 


faithful  devotion  these  many  years  to  the  welfare 
of  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society,  to  which 
you  have  given  so  much  both  of  your  time  and  of 
your  money.  I  trust  that  you  may  live  to  see  your 
efforts  crowned  with  success,  and  preparations 
made,  if  not  fully  completed,  for  the  installation  in 
a  new  and  worthy  habitation  of  the  Society's 
valuable  books  and  collections. 

I  have  not  forgotten  the  letter  which  you  wrote 
me  two  years  ago,  and  which  first  aroused  an 
interest  in  my  mind  in  behalf  of  the  Society.  It 
may  be  that  I  can  some  day  make  a  contribution 
with  others  to  aid  in  bringing  together  the  neces- 
sary funds  for  the  construction  of  the  new  building. 
I  do  not  feel  free  to  do  so  at  the  present  moment,  as 
I  am  committed  in  some  other  directions  which 
will  require  all  my  available  resourcefs  for  the  time 
being.  Not  the  least  among  the  reasons  which 
would  impel  me  to  make  a  liberal  contribution  for 
this  good  purpose  is  the  fact  that  you  yourself 
have  labored  so  disinterestedly  in  its  behalf,  and 
at  the  present  time,  even  on  your  sick  bed,  are 
endeavoring  to  enlist  the  co-operation  of  myself 
and  others  in  accomplishing  the  desired  results. 

I  thank  you  for  your  letter  and  for  your  kind 
words  regarding  my  father  and  myself,  and  I  am, 
with  best  wishes  for  your  restoration  to  health. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Edward  Tuck. 

This  letter  indicates  on  the  part  of  its  writer  an 

[27] 


awakening  interest  in  the  Historical  Society,  and 
the  disposition  to  contribute  to  its  welfare. 

December  8th,  1902. 

Hon.  B.  a.  Kimball,  Concord,  N.  H. 
My  dear  Mr.  Kimball: 

I  will  answer  at  once  your  letter  this  moment 
received,  written  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  telling  me 
of  your  call  upon  Mr.  Todd  at  Newburyport, 
where  I  am  sorry  to  learn  that  he  is  so  ill.  I  am 
also  in  receipt  to-day  of  a  letter  from  him  in  ful- 
filment of  his  intention  declared  to  you,  which  is 
full  of  the  object  he  has  so  much  at  heart.  His 
letter  is  an  excellent  one,  most  interesting  and 
lucid,  and  from  it  I  should  not  have  supposed,  had 
I  not  learned  otherwise  from  you,  that  his  illness 
was  so  serious.  He  even  expresses  the  hope  that 
he  will  meet  me  next  year  in  the  United  States. 
I  suppose  he  is  a  very  old  man  now,  and  your  fears 
as  to  his  ever  being  able  to  leave  his  bed  again  I 
am  afraid  are  too  well  founded.  I  should  be  glad 
to  receive  a  copy  of  Mr.  Todd's  address  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  New  Hampshire  Historical 
Society,  and  also  the  report  of  the  committee,  of 
which  he  speaks  but  does  not  mention  sending 
to  me. 

I  have  delayed  replying  to  your  letter  of  October 
31st,  in  which  you  referred  to  the  financial  wants 
of  the  Historical  Society,  but  not  from  any  lack  of 

[28  1 


interest  in  the  subject.  I  have  a  good  many 
demands  upon  me  just  at  the  present  time  in  other 
directions,  but  I  shall  not  forget  the  necessities  of 
your  important  Society,  and  it  is  possible  that 
some  time  in  the  future  I  may  feel  free  to  make  a 
contribution  toward  the  fund  required  to  place  it 
in  substantial  and  worthy  quarters.     *     *     * 

Edward  Tuck. 

Mr.  Kimball's  letter,  to  which  Mr.  Tuck  referred, 
after  mentioning  Dartmouth  College  and  its  busi- 
ness affairs,  continued  with  a  direct  allusion  to  the 
Society  which  was  undoubtedly  the  earliest  com- 
munication on  the  subject  in  which  these  two 
friends  had  so  deep  an  interest,  and  were  destined 
to  work  out  a  result  so  splendid. 

Concord,  October  31,  1902. 
*  *  *  Just  a  few  lines  about  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Historical  Society,  about  which  Mr.  Todd,  its 
President,  has  written  you  more  or  less,  and  con- 
cerning which  Mr.  Henry  W.  Stevens  has  talked 
with  you,  thinking  you  might  be  interested  in  it  in 
the  future  or  at  your  leisure.  I  know  our  people, 
far  and  near,  are  indebted  for  your  philanthropic 
work,  consequently  do  not  feel  like  suggesting  or 
asking  your  consideration  of  our  valuable  Society 
and  its  necessities,  only  to  say  that  I  intend,  so  far 

[29] 


as  I  am  able,  to  assist  towards  obtaining  a  fine 
substantial  building  as  a  home  for  this  venerable 
and  valuable  institution,  which  is  capable  of  ex- 
erting such  great  influence  upon  the  citizens  of  New 
Hampshire  on  account  of  its  valuable  collections  of 
material. 

In  addition  to  what  Mr.  Todd  has  already 
donated  (^5,000.00),  I  think  he  will  join  any  enter- 
prise to  the  end  I  have  suggested,  a  new  and 
permanent  building. 

He  has  recently  given  a  fund  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  city  hospital  in  Newburyport.  At  his 
request  I  am  intending  to  call  upon  him^  at  New- 
buryport, where  he  is  ill  at  the  present  time.  He 
may  possibly  talk  over  this  matter.  If  so  I  shall 
be  pleased  to  confer  with  him. 

Mr.  Todd  and  myself  have  held  up  the  question 
of  constructing  an  annex  to  the  old  building,  which 
we  and  other  prominent  men  of  the  State  regarded 
as  an  unfortunate  procedure. 

Pardon  me  for  mentioning  the  Historical^  Society 
question  of  a  new  building.  I  did  so,  knowing  your 
interest  in  the  Society  as  something  that  should 
be  safely  cared  for  and  perpetuated  to  the  honor 
of  the  old  State  and  its  distinguished  roll  of 
members. 

With  the  kindest  regards  and  best  wishes  for 
you  and  Mrs.  Tuck,  I  am 

Sincerely  yours, 

B.  A.  Kimball. 


30 


Mr.  Todd's  life  was  drawing  to  its  close.  He  was 
unable  to  walk  out  or  to  welcome  his  friends,  other 
than  old  friends,  among  whom  none  was  closer 
than  Mr.  Kimball.  During  the  year  1902  Mr. 
Kimball  saw  his  old-time  friend  more  than  once, 
the  last  visit  taking  place  late  in  that  year  and  is 
recorded  in  these  words: 

"I  visited  Mr.  Todd  in  Newburyport  in  the  fall 
of  1902,  where  he  was  ill  and  confined  to  his  room 
in  Mrs.  Spaulding's  home.  Knowing  that  I  was 
expected,  he  was  ready  to  receive  me  with  many 
suggestions  which  he  wished  me  to  convey  per- 
sonally to  Mr.  Tuck  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire 
Historical  Society,  as  he  understood  I  intended  to 
sail  for  Paris  within  a  few  weeks.  I  remember 
distinctly  his  saying  to  me,  'I  am  impressed  with 
the  idea  that  you  will  find  Mr.  Tuck  an  important 
factor  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Historical  Society.  His  letter  to  me  indicates 
most  conclusively  that  his  mind  trends  in  this 
direction.'  While  I  was  with  him  I  recall  that  he 
expressed  his  regrets  respecting  his  gift  of  $50,000 
to  the  Boston  Public  Library,  which  on  reflection 

[31] 


he  considered  a  mistake.  He  then  said,  *My 
estate  will  not  be  sufficient  to  contribute  more  than 
the  amount  named  in  my  will,  and  I  want  you  to 
say  this  to  Mr.  Tuck.'  So  far  as  I  am  able  to  learn 
this  was  the  last  reference  to  the  subject  ever  made 
by  the  loyal  old  man,  for  he  died  in  June,  1903." 

On  July  30,  191 8,  Mr.  Tuck  wrote  to  me  respect- 
ing the  last  letter  from  William  C.  Todd.  "You 
ask  me  about  the  missing  Todd  letter.  I  doubt  if 
there  is  one  missing.  I  do  not  remember  that  he 
ever  wrote  me  much  more  than  what  was  in  the 
letter  or  letters  you  have.  His  ideas  were  very 
modest.  The  project  of  a  new  building  for  the 
Historical  Society  pleased  me  from  the  start,  and 
developed  itself  gradually  in  my  mind  after  my 
annual  conferences  with  Mr.  Kimball  into  the 
greater  scheme  which  we  ultimately  carried  out. 
I  was  much  impressed  by  Mr.  Todd's  passion,  as 
I  might  call  it,  for  the  Society,  and  I  was  inspired 
by  his  example,  rather  than  by  his  preaching,  to 
accomplish  on  a  grand  scale  what  he  had  to  leave 
undone  at  his  death."  Whether  or  not  the  letter 
which  Mr.  Kimball  considered  very  important  was 

[32] 


really  written  or  has  been  mislaid  is  now  an  inter- 
esting surmise  on  the  part  of  the  historian.  But 
we  are  certainly  left  without  any  doubt,  by  what 
Mr.  Tuck  has  written,  that  he  was  inspired  by  Mr. 
Todd's  passion  and  example. 

Mr.  Kimball  now  became  an  important  person 
in  planning  and  directing  the  greater  scheme,  as 
Mr.  Tuck  called  it.  Fortunate,  indeed,  it  was  to 
the  donor  and  to  the  Society  that  Mr.  Kimball 
assumed  control  of  the  work  from  the  beginning 
and  continued  in  charge  until  the  completion.  If 
my  purpose  were  to  sketch  a  biography  in  this 
connection,  Mr.  Kimball  would  occupy  a  large  and 
deserved  place,  but  such  is  not  my  design.  Into 
this  agreeable  undertaking  he  entered  with  a  full 
heart.  Endowed  with  accurate  architectural  tastes, 
strengthened  and  enriched  by  long  and  varied 
experience,  much  reading  and  observation,  Mr. 
Kimball  was  the  ideal  man  for  the  work  in  hand. 

In  intelligent  and  thorough  method  of  prepara- 
tion, attention  to  details,  calm  judgment  and  sound 
sense  few  men  in  New  Hampshire  have  been  his 
equal.     Here  in  Concord  the  railroad  station,  the 

[33] 


State  Library,  his  Main  Street  residence  attest 
the  measure  of  his  taste  and  devotion  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  attractiveness  and  usefulness  in  construc- 
tion. No  one  recognized  these  gifts  more  clearly 
than  did  Edward  Tuck.  What  he  thought  about 
those  gifts  and  the  confidence  they  inspired  are 
set  forth  in  his  letter  of  August  ii,  1917.  Mr. 
Kimball  belongs  to  the  class  of  men  known  and 
recognized  as  masterful  men  in  the  management  of 
public  affairs,  but  in  his  case  the  master  mind  is 
agreeable  and  sympathetic.  Tactful  in  his  rela- 
tions with  others,  receptive  in  mind,  free  from 
impulse,  with  an  intelligence  of  high  order,  he 
proved  to  be  in  this  great  undertaking  a  helpful 
and  suggestive  representative  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tuck.  Among  his  characteristics  is  the  extremely 
valuable  possession  of  a  disposition  that  enables 
him  to  work  with  men  and  bring  about  the  desired 
results.  The  preliminary  and  formative  efforts  of 
Mr.  Kimball  from  the  death  of  William  C.  Todd 
in  1903  to  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  six  years 
later  make  a  valuable  and  interesting  chapter  in 
personal  achievement. 

I  34] 


I  venture  to  say  that,  from  the  hour  when  the 
vision  of  a  splendid  and  creditable  Historical  Soci- 
ety building  began  to  assume  its  exquisite  features, 
to  the  moment  when  he  handed  the  symbolical 
key  to  Mr.  Tuck  in  November,  191 1,  the  realiza- 
tion of  the  perfect  work  was  never  absent  from  his 
mind.     And  this  means  much  when  we  think  of  the 
urgent  business  of  banks  and  railroads  and  manufac- 
tures that  beset  him  day  and  night  without  ceasing. 
But  his  heart  was  in  this  work  and  it  brooked  no 
rival.  A  new  Society  building  erected  on  land  in  the 
central  part  of  Concord  near  the  State  House  was 
Mr.  Kimball's  purpose  from  the  first,  and  to  that 
end  he  directed  his  energy  and  influence.     When 
asked  what  the  probable  cost  of  a  new  building 
would  be  he  replied  "not  less  than  a  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars."    This  reply,  made  before  the  new  site 
had  been  purchased  or  any  plans  had  been  drawn, 
proved  to  be  a  modest  yet  not  an  unwarranted  esti- 
mate at  the  time.     But  the  project  gradually  grew 
in  shape  and  dignity  as  the  months  went  on. 

Mr.  Tuck  had  now  become  actively  interested 
through   intercourse   with   Mr.    Kimball   who,   in 

[35] 


those  days,  made  an  annual  visit  to  Europe  for 
rest  and  recreation.  He  naturally  passed  much 
time  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tuck  at  Vert  Mont  and  in 
Paris.  At  one  of  these  early  visits  the  subject  of 
the  Historical  Society  came  up  in  conversation, 
and  the  cost  of  land  and  building  was  mentioned, 
together  with  the  suggestion  advanced  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  that  an  appeal  might  be  made 
to  the  generosity  of  Andrew  Carnegie.  Whereupon 
Mr.  Tuck  remarked  "The  New  Hampshire  His- 
torical Society  should  not  ask  Mr.  Carnegie  for 
funds;  they  should  furnish  their  own  funds  and 
build  their  own  building."  Another  visit  brought 
out  the  matter  of  the  form  and  construction  ac- 
cording to  some  sketch  designs  which  Mr.  Kimball 
had  secured  to  show  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tuck.  How 
completely  the  project  underwent  a  change  in  the 
minds  of  those  three  friends  of  the  Society  is  an 
interesting  feature  in  the  unwritten  history  of  the 
Historical  Society,  for  we  now  know  that  those 
early  conversations  and  critical  examinations  of 
the  tentative  plans  had  to  do  wholly  with  a  build- 
ing to  be  constructed  of  brick. 

[36] 


"I  considered  this  subject  for  several  months," 
says  Mr.  Kimball,  "and  finally  decided  that  the 
matter  of  material,  so  vitally  important,  ought  to 
be  explained  in  detail  to  Mr.  Tuck;  accordingly  I 
made  another  visit  to  Paris."  We  now  become 
informed  concerning  an  act  in  the  unwritten  his- 
tory of  our  Society,  an  act  munificent  and  decisive. 
I  believe  that  this  beautiful  building  and  its  sur- 
roundings were  due  beyond  any  doubt  to  that  all- 
important  visit  to  Paris,  when  the  vision  of  what 
might  be  possible  to  accomplish  was  revealed  to 
two  persons  whose  names  will  always  be  revered 
by  ourselves  and  our  successors.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tuck  listened  to  Mr.  Kimball's  views  and  com- 
ments, examined  and  criticised  the  plans  and 
sketches  laid  before  them,  discussed  the  momen- 
tous question  of  material,  whether  of  brick  or 
granite,  thought  over  and  studied  the  architectural 
form  and  features  with  care  and  devotion.  This 
continued  day  after  day,  when  new  details,  changes, 
modifications,  ideas,  were  carefully  considered. 
Let  Mr.  Kimball  tell  the  story:  "After  a  few  days 
of  discussion  Mr.  Tuck  said,  T  think  that  the  best 

[37] 


construction  and  design  are  none  too  good;  we 
ought  to  have  the  best.' 

"This  important  decision  meant  that  the  build- 
ing should  be  Greek  in  design,  so  I  said  to  my 
friends  that  this  would  entail  many  more  tech- 
nical details  beyond  what  we  had  talked  about, 
and  would  increase  the  cost  very  greatly.  They  ex- 
claimed 'Certainly.  We  know  it,  but  we  want  this 
building  to  be  the  best  of  its  kind,  so  you  proceed  to 
erect  it  as  suggested  and  avoid  publicity  as  much 
as  possible.'  "  No  wonder  that  Mr.  Kimball 
regards  that  visit  as  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  his  great 
endeavors  connected  with  this  work.  The  ques- 
tion concerning  the  kind  of  material  to  be  used  was 
settled  by  Mr.  Tuck,  whose  love  of  his  native 
Granite  State  was  a  part  of  his  life,  and  who, 
realizing  the  appropriateness  of  granite,  deter- 
mined that  the  structure  should  be  built  of  New 
Hampshire's  famous  stone.  With  a  light  heart 
and  confident  hope  Mr.  Kimball  returned  to  Con- 
cord and  reported  to  his  friends  the  results  of  his 
conference  which  meant  so  much  to  the  Society. 

The  purchase  of  the  site  now  became  a  large  and 

I  38] 


difficult  undertaking,  in  view  of  the  funds  in  the 
treasury  that  could  properly  be  applied  to  that 
purpose.  The  corner  at  State  and  Park  Streets, 
which  comprised  the  Rolfe  house  on  State  Street, 
the  Mead  house  on  the  corner,  and  the  Lapierre 
house  west  on  Park  Street,  was  the  site  selected  and 
purchased.  This  purchase  was  made  by  Samuel  C. 
Eastman,  who  had  favored  a  central  location  from 
the  beginning,  and  had  been  very  helpful  in  assist- 
ing Mr.  Kimball.  "We  gave  our  personal  notes  to 
pay  for  those  lots,  and  it  was  some  time  before  the 
reason  of  our  action  became  publicly  known,  but 
once  the  purpose  was  understood  prices  went  up 
rapidly,  compelling  us  to  furnish  a  large  amount  to 
secure  the  houses  and  land  on  Green  Street." 
Here  Mr.  Tuck  gave  further  proof  of  his  abounding 
generosity  by  offering  to  contribute  to  the  fund 
necessary  to  be  raised  for  a  suitable  and  spacious 
location.  But  the  money  question  involved  in 
securing  the  land  continued  to  perplex  those  in 
charge  of  the  matter,  and  to  give  them  serious 
thought.  The  situation  became  intense  as  the 
proposed  size  of  the  building  made  it  clear  to  all 

[39] 


that  more  land  would  be  required  to  enlarge  the 
site  comprised  in  the  original  purchase. 

When  new  sources  of  money  contributions  be- 
came urgent  for  buying  the  additional  land,  this 
was  the  way  Mr.  Kimball  managed  the  situation. 
After  the  money  in  the  treasury  that  could  be  used 
for  the  purchase  of  land  had  been  appropriated 
there  remained  a  further  amount  of  ^33,000  to 
raise  before  the  purchase  could  be  completed. 
Mr.  Kimball  and  Mr.  Eastman,  courageous  and 
resolute,  borrowed  on  their  own  notes  money 
sufficient  to  acquire  the  land  and  to  vest  it  in 
the  Society.  I  will  now  let  Mr.  Kimball  tell  how 
he  finally  secured  the  desired  ^33,000.  "After 
many  months  the  thought  came  to  me  of  erect- 
ing a  grand  tablet  in  the  building  which  should 
contain  the  names  of  the  persons  who  contributed 
each  a  thousand  dollars  to  lift  the  burden  that 
weighed  so  heavily.  I  outlined  my  idea  to  Guy 
Lowell  who  quickly  accepted  it,  and,  in  reply  to 
my  enquiry  respecting  the  place  of  the  memo- 
rial, suggested  the  space  at  the  south  end  of 
the  reading  room,  where   it  remains   to  this  day. 

[40] 


After  drawing  several  designs  Mr.  Lowell  produced 
the  design  so  much  admired,  and  I  set  about  to  find 
a  slab  of  the  rare  marble  large  enough  to  carry  out 
my  scheme.  This  proved  to  be  extremely  difficult. 
Finally  I  requested  Timothy  P.  Sullivan  to  go  into 
the  market,  and  in  New  York  he  found,  after  long 
search,  a  block  of  marble  suitable  in  size  and  quality 
for  our  purpose.  The  marble  was  sent  to  Boston 
where  the  cutting  and  lettering  were  artistically 
executed." 

Owing  to  the  exceedingly  delicate  and  exacting 
labor  necessary  to  the  bronze  lettering,  the  work- 
men suffered  from  eye  strain,  consequently  the  work 
was  prolonged  and  made  more  costly  than  the  first 
estimate.  The  accomplished  architect  had  made  a 
sketch  of  the  finished  tablet  which  Mr.  Kimball  ex- 
hibited to  the  score  or  more  of  invited  contributors 
with  the  happiest  results.  In  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Kimball  this  exquisite  mural  tablet,  richly  embel- 
lished with  the  names  of  generous  men  and  women, 
is  one  of  the  finest  objects  in  art  construction  to  be 
seen  in  the  building,  and  surpassed  only  by  French's  ' 
master  sculpture  over  the  main  entrance. 

[41] 


As  the  building  assumed  its  exterior  form  the 
interior  features  became  the  subject  of  thought, 
study  and  suggestion.  In  a  really  large  sense  this 
is  an  important  part  in  our  narrative.  The  con- 
sistency and  the  dignity  of  ornate  beauty  must  be 
studied  and  made  effective  and  agreeable  to  the 
eye.  The  interior  should  interpret  itself  to  the 
intelligence  and  the  understanding  of  generations 
to  come.  It  should  be  coherent  yet  rich,  impress- 
ive yet  inviting.  As  we  contemplate  the  noble 
beauty  of  the  marble  rotunda  and  the  stairway,  I 
wonder  if  we  realize  the  labor  and  the  devotion  to 
artistic  perfection,  the  continued  application,  and 
the  profuse  generosity  that  so  dignify  this  house 
beautiful  and  contribute  to  our  unwritten  history. 
"During  one  of  my  visits  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tuck," 
says  Mr.  Kimball,  "the  elaboration  of  the  interior 
was  carefully  and  thoroughly  considered.  Mr. 
Lowell  had  made  a  beautiful  set  of  drawings  of  the 
reading  room,  the  lecture  hall,  and  the  rotunda, 
and  to  these  we  gave  our  thoughts  day  after  day. 
The  rotunda  became  the  subject  of  our  constant 
discussion.     The  drawings  called  for  Old  Convent 

[42] 


Sienna  marble  in  solid  blocks,  especially  so  for  the 
arches  and  the  crown.  Naturally,  this  design 
increased  the  cost  very  materially,  but  it  gave  a 
stateliness  and  magnificence  that  were  quickly 
recognized  and  admired,  and  so  the  question  about 
the  marble  arches  and  marble  walls  was  then  and 
there  determined."  Well  may  Mr.  Kimball  say 
that  that  decision  put  the  final  touch  on  the  interior 
construction  of  the  building.  But  another  very 
important  feature  remained  to  be  talked  about 
and  envisaged.  The  main  entrance,  its  approach, 
and  the  architectural  interpretation  of  the  building 
itself  became  an  impressive  and  intensive  study. 

Mr.  Lowell  had  prepared  a  plan  which  did  not 
fully  satisfy  Mr.  Tuck  or  Mr.  Kimball,  not  because 
the  plan  lacked  beauty  of  design  or  artistic  form, 
but  because  it  did  not  give  the  imposing  prominence 
to  the  entrance  that  the  building  seemed  to  re- 
quire. Another  plan  followed  later,  and  that  plan 
worked  out  in  granite  and  marble  and  bronze  will 
always  be  a  source  of  admiration  and  delight  to 
all  who  behold  it.  In  the  meanwhile  the  grandest 
feature  of  all  had  been  decided  on.     The   genius 

[43] 


of  the  sculptor  was  invoked,  enabling  the  archi- 
tect to  elaborate  his  entrance  studies  into  har- 
monious and  exquisite  results  acceptable  to  the 
donor  and  his  friend.  Wise  and  singularly  appro- 
priate was  the  choice  of  Daniel  C.  French,  a 
native  of  New  Hampshire,  to  execute  the  massive 
figures  that  dignify  the  main  entrance. 

And  so  the  Historical  Society  building  ap- 
proached its  completion,  a  model  of  what  such  a 
structure  should  be,  and  an  illustration  of  man's 
benevolence  seldom  surpassed.  Nor  is  this  all. 
Far  more  than  the  material  results  was  the  rare 
intercourse  springing  out  of  the  profoundest 
depths  of  mutual  respect  and  confidence.  Reflect 
a  moment.  While  I  may  tell  you  that  this  gift  to 
our  Society  cost  Edward  Tuck  more  than  half  a 
million  dollars,  I  desire  to  add  this,  and  I  allude  to 
it  in  order  to  emphasize  what  I  have  just  said, 
that  from  the  beginning  to  the  day  of  dedication 
no  written  promise,  condition,  contract  or  agree- 
ment ever  passed  between  Edward  Tuck  and 
Benjamin  A.  Kimball.  The  mind  of  the  master 
builder  with  its  living  passion  for  the  beautiful  in 

[44] 


construction,  touching  the  soul  of  a  trusting  friend 
beyond  the  sea  brought  about  this  superb  consum- 
mation. At  the  dedicatory  exercises  Mr.  Tuck, 
in  his  address  of  presentation,  referred  to  Mr. 
Kimball  in  sincere  and  felicitous  words:  "It  is 
fitting  that  I  should  make  the  presentation  through 
you,  for  having  from  the  inception  of  our  plans 
the  benefit  of  your  superior  judgment  in  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  construction,  of  your  artistic 
taste,  your  vigilant  watchfulness  throughout  the 
work,  and  your  public  spirit  in  devoting  to  it  your 
valuable  time,  I  decided  to  provide  for  the  erection 
of  something  more  monumental  and  ornate  than 
a  simple  library  building.  It  is  due  to  you,  also, 
that  for  its  plan  and  construction  we  secured  the 
services  of  the  distinguished  architect,  Mr.  Guy 
Lowell."  And  as  a  supplement  to  those  words  of 
appreciation  I  wish  to  record  among  the  unwritten 
facts  in  this  narrative  that  Mr.  Kimball  from  first 
to  last  contributed  liberally  and  often  to  this  great 
work,  and  time  and  expense  were  cheerfully  given 
that  perfection  in  all  respects  might  be  attained. 
I  have  now  told  the  interesting  story  I  wished  to 

[45l 


tell,  firmly  believing  that  its  preservation  in  our 
archives  is  something  we  owe  to  others  as  well  as 
to  our  Society.  We  may,  I  believe,  search  in  vain 
to  find  another  achievement  so  splendid  as  this. 
Rich  with  facts,  incidents,  and  circumstances, 
our  beautiful  home  is  its  own  model.  Vision, 
perception,  endeavor,  patience,  perseverance  are 
recounted  in  granite  and  marble  and  bronze,  which 
shall  endure  in  commemoration  of  the  benevolence 
of  the  generous  donor.  Our  days  are  numbered 
but  our  gratitude  shall  not  be  measured  by  our 
shadows  on  earth.  Let  all  our  members  present 
and  to  come  acknowledge  with  a  full  heart  the 
debt  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  owes 
to  Edward  Tuck  and  Benjamin  A.  Kimball. 


46 


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